Aguilar, Wilson, et al. Join Cast of ATC's ORGINAL GREASE

American Theater Company (ATC) announces casting for the restored, revised, R-rated The Original Grease. Adrian Aguilar (Danny Zuko) and Kelly Davis Wilson (Sandy Dumbroski) head a cast of 26, which includes eight 1960 Rydell High 50th Reunion Alumnus.

The Original Grease also includes Tony Clarno (Kenickie), Jessica Diaz (Rizzo), Bubba Weiler (Doody), Robert Colletti (Roger), Patrick De Nicola (Sonny), Tyler Ravelson (Miller), Jessie Fisher (Frenchy), Carol Rose (Marty), Sadieh Rifai (Jan), Hannah Gomez (Cha-Cha Degregorio), Adam Shalzi (Eugene Florczyk), Michael Accardo (Vince Fontaine, Officer Maiale, Coach Grabowski), Bryan Connor (Johnny Casino, Teen Angel), Peggy Roeder (Miss Mildred Lynch), and Tom Lally (The Old Bum, Jan's father). The Rydell High 50th Reunion Alumnus includes Susan Fay (Patricia Simcox Honeywell), Alan Barinholtz (Eugene Florczyk), Tom Lally (Kenickie), Mark Shallow (Doody), Anthony Dale Kolton (Roger), Judi Schindler (Frenchy) and Danon Dastugue (Jan). The role of Patty Simcox is yet to be cast.

The production, directed by PJ Paparelli with Choreography by Jim Corti, Musical Direction by Roberta Duchak, and Orchestration by Malcolm Ruhl, will run April 21 - June 5, 2011 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron, Chicago, IL. Press opening is Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7PM.
"Jim Jacobs, Jim Corti and I can truly say this has been one of most extensive audition processes that Grease has ever had. We saw over 850 people, ages 15 to 70, from all across the Midwest over the last year," says Paparelli. "We want to thank the actors and local agents who were all a pleasure to work with, and we are thrilled to announce our extraordinary group of actors to bring the show back home to Chicago."

Chicago. 1959. Before two movies and three Broadway productions, summer lovin' happened on Lake Michigan and the Pink Ladies were a group of working class outsiders living on Chicago's Northwest Side. Including never-before-heard music, lyrics and scenes, author Jim Jacobs teams up with Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and Choreographer Jim Corti to bring to life for the first time since 1971 the original R-Rated version of the world's most famous movie musical.

Tickets: Previews: $10 rush tickets at the door, or reserved seats for $30
Regular run: Thursdays & matinees $35; Fri & Sat evenings $40
Opening night including post-show reception $50
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago;
773.409.4125; www.atcweb.org

American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" We provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories. We foster a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.

American Theater Company is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and CityArts II. Additional valuable support is provided by the Alphawood Foundation, the Bruce B. Boyd Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Prince Charitable Trust, and Shubert Foundation.